Elise is one of our most indispensable volunteers. For two years, she has been taking care of the shelter dogs, once or twice a week. Rain or shine, she is always there. Elise has a gift with animals: it’s her passion. Highly motivated, she juggles between volunteering at the shelter and her business ELIDOG, which she launched a few months ago in Brussels.

At the shelter, she mainly handles the dogs’ outings in the park and also provides her expertise and advice to ensure that organized walks outside the shelter proceed safely.

During park outings, Elise adapts to each dog’s desires: “Some prefer to play, others sniff, search for treats, or just enjoy cuddling. The main thing is that they have fun!” She uses play and training exercises to build a trusting relationship with each dog and help them progress positively. For Elise, seeing a dog make progress despite life at the shelter is rewarding: “A progressing dog is more likely to be adopted. It gives real meaning to our commitment, and it pushes us to always do more for them.”

In addition to volunteering, Elise offers professional services for pets through her business ELIDOG. She takes your dog away from the urban hustle and bustle for a walk in the forest, and she visits your home to take care of your cat or rabbit while you’re away. Elise pays special attention to each animal she cares for: “I adapt to each one’s character and preferences by offering the most personalized service possible.”

Elise helps lighten the daily load of owners with busy schedules, in case of emergencies, or during vacations. However, she emphasizes that she provides support rather than replacement for them: “I cater to owners who genuinely love their animals, are aware of their daily needs, and seek trustworthy external support to meet those needs when they unfortunately can’t. I provide a sort of continuity, but for the animal’s well-being, it’s essential that they share moments with their owner.”

The professions of “dog walker” and “pet sitter” are booming. These are now real full-fledged professions, far from just being student jobs: “The field is becoming more and more professional, and that’s a good thing. Having pets at home doesn’t always guarantee knowing how to take care of any other animal, especially if it has specific needs.”

Elise has trained in canine and feline behavior, which she considers indispensable when working with animals: “Knowing how to read their communication signals and interpret them correctly allows me to adopt the right behavior in each situation and to respect the animal and its emotions.”

Listening to the animal but also to the owners, she aims to create a genuine partnership: “They entrust me with their animal and the keys to their home, so it’s essential to establish a real relationship of trust and to do everything possible to reassure them. I also listen carefully to their recommendations to align with their habits and take care of their companion as best as possible.”

At the shelter, we gladly recommend professional services like ELIDOG to new adopters. They can be assured of hiring a competent and reliable person to take care of their new companion when needed.

For more information:

www.elidogbruxelles.be

0456/24.07.03

elidogbruxelles@gmail.com